Momma's Girl/Boy

Friday, November 6, 2009

It has been a rough month. Edward caught the flu the day after his birthday. He was so sick and I have never seen him so lethargic. A week after he got sick Ruth got sick as well. Her symptoms were different so I thought she had something else. I was probably wrong. It was a long 2 weeks with sick children. Then just last week, both Edward and Ruth got a head cold, not as bad as the flu but the cough sounded awful. So hopefully they won't get sick again for a long time.

It's great to have my children feeling well and healthy again. Ruth and Edward and eating extra hearty. They are either making up for lost time while they were sick or having a growth spurt. Either way, I am happy they are eating well.

As a parent, there are those milestones your child reaches where they are just a bit more independent and it brings you such joy; such as sleeping through the night or feeding themselves. Then you realize, it really is just a cycle. They can feed themselves but now they want you to wipe their hands and face every 3 bites or something like that. I was so excited when Ruth potty trained and how quickly she got it. She started to keep her diaper dry over nights and I was so happy. Now Ruth is a big girl and she sleeps in her big girl panties. Unfortunately, now she wakes in the night sometimes or super early in the morning and has to use the potty... Some day she will know how to use the potty all by herself and clean herself.

Edward has grown so much too. I had his 2 year old pictures taken last weekend and in a few days I can pick them up. What a handsome lad he is! They will go out with the Christmas cards this year as will Ruth's 3 year old pictures that were taken in May for those who have not received one.

Halloween was good. Ruth and Edward went as Minnie and Mickey Mouse. I can't tell you how adorable they were. I was surprised Edward wore the ear hat, it was bulky and the ears squeaked. Ruth totally got the Trick or treat deal this year. Edward, however, was all about the candy. When he got his first piece he had to hold it. And let me tell you, he was holding on to it for dear life and didn't let go of it until after we got home. I had to take it away because he was trying to eat it through the wrapper.

Our friend Tiffany and her daughter, who is a few months younger than Edward, went trick or treating with us and they all had a blast. We only did both sides of our block since the children were so little and thank goodness it was kind of warm out. After that, the children played in the living room and watched "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" Ruth and Edward loved Charlie Brown.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

So Edward turns 2 on Monday. We decided to have an intimate party with just us 4 yesterday since this is my husband's last weekend for a few weeks, thanks to Uncle Sam. I got him a Spongebob cake and I had been stressing about what to get him for his birthday. I had no ideas and neither did my husband. We just have so many toys that it was difficult to come up with something creative and also something my kids wouldn't fight over too much.

So, yesterday I took Ruth and Edward to McDonald's for lunch and so they could play in the playplace. They really like it. They were actually well behaved and every time they came down the slide they would come over to the table to take a few bites of their lunch. After that, it was off to Walmart to look around for something to get Edward. I ended up buying him a cute little black cowboy had, a little soccer ball, and "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" movie. I also ended up getting Ruth a red cowboy hat but that's okay. Then we went to the grocery store to pick up the cake and get ice cream. Edward insisted on wearing his hat and carrying the soccer ball into the store. It was so cute. He fell asleep in the car on the way home so after dinner we sang and had cake.

Pictures are soon to follow on our family Flickr account of the cake and singing 'Happy Birthday'.

Now the update with Ruth is...ready? This is the fifth morning in a row she has had a dry diaper!!! She's on her way. I read in one of my many child development books that she had to do it consecutively for like a month to be considered night time potty trained. But I'm just so darn excited (and I hope I don't jinx myself by telling people) I just had to share and I didn't really do anything to bring this on. I mean, I still limit her liquid intake after dinner but she's just doing it on her own.

On another note, I have been concerned that Ruth is too tall for her car seat but she isn't old enough or heavy enough for a booster. So I did some research. I came up with 'yes' she is too tall for her car seat, but I can get a booster seat with the 5 point restraint straps that will later convert to a regular booster seat. Of course before I go out and buy something, I look online at all the stores to find what I want so that I am not dragging Ruth and Edward all around town and wasting my time. I found one at Walmart I like so I'm going to go get it later.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

I started the fall semester about a month ago. It was a smooth transition from lazy summer to full throttle classes. I am taking a full load, 4 classes at 15 credits. My children are happy to be back at our daycare provider's too. She has a few new little boys around their age and Ruth and Edward are happy to make new friends. It's too bad Ruth is always the only girl. She doesn't seem to mind though.

Lately, Ruth and Edward both have been extra moody. I just don't know. And they are at a new sibling stage too; they constantly steal toys from each other and have hit each other a few times too. Ruth and Edward have battle wounds to show for it at times. Each have become more possessive. Example, Ruth left her blanket on the floor and was playing on the slide, happy as can be. Edward came along and decided to curl up in the blanket and watch tv. Ruth had a fit. This scenario has gone both ways where one leaves a preferred item on the floor and plays with something else somewhere else and the other wants to play with the abandoned toy. Screams, tears and the occasional tug-o-war. I would like to think that one day they will grow out of it but I know they won't. My sister and I still pilfer and take stuff from each other, and we're 26 and 18 living in different households...lol

On a crazy note for me, Edward will be 2 years old on October 5. I totally can't believe it. He's so tall too and full of energy. I get tired out watching him. I have to get him new shoes and I'm irritated with his pants. Edward is 2, but 18 month clothing is too flipping big around his waist and 12 months is way too small and short. Why don't they sell belts in his size? Grrr.

Ruth... has discovered the dreaded boo-boo. Every little thing gives her a boo-boo and she has to be overly dramatic about her boo-boo, even her imaginary ones. I have no idea where she learned that from. The daycare lady always says 'owie' and my hubby and I ask 'where do you hurt' or 'what's wrong'? huh, the world may never know...

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Today Edward had so much energy this morning that he was being kind of wild and hollering. My husband started playing with Edward, blowing on his belly and giving him lots of kisses making Edward laugh and squeal with delight. He was so happy to have his daddy's attention that he kept running up to my husband and demanding kisses but not really giving any and snuggling for brief moments. Edward also tried to bounce on him and use him as a jungle gym by crawling all over him.

After a little while, the kids were playing and my husband and I were snuggling on the couch. Edward usually gets jealous and tries to push my husband away so he can snuggle with me but today he pushed his daddy away so he could snuggle and vie for his daddy's attention! That was a first, but a nice change.

Then Ruth wanted in on some of all that attention. She was trying to tickle her daddy and then when Edward would run off for a moment she scrambled on her daddy, gave him some kisses, a big hug and just generally wanting some of his attention. This is a rare moment for my daughter as she is not a very affectionate child with anyone. It was such a joy to see Ruth do this of her own free will.

Without a doubt, it was a wonderful morning filled with love and laughter. These are the moments we treasure.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Let's start with Ruth. I would venture to say she is potty trained. She poops and pees in the potty and always tells someone when she has to go. Ruth did have one accident but that was because I couldn't get her to the toilet fast enough. I know it's bound to happen. All that is left is night time potty use. I have read that night time potty training takes a long time, sometimes years. I know I should limit her liquid intake at night after dinner but that seems to be when she is most thirsty... We will get around to it. For now I am just super happy that Ruth is only wearing a diaper to bed and I am already saving money. Ruth is pretty much big enough that she doesn't need a nap but occasionally she ops for one. She does fine either way.

Edward is babbling constantly. He tries to say 'thank you', 'Spongebob Squarepants', and 'i love you', and I'm pretty sure he tries to say 'all done' when he is finished with his meal. It's so exciting to hear him say words. I hope when he is at daycare with the older kids his speech picks up even more. On another note, Edward has discovered that he can push the plastic slide across the room and under the window and look out. Also, my husband an I have seem to 'fixed' his late nights. We give him some melatonin between 8 pm and 830 pm and he hasnt been up past 10 pm! I would put him to bed no later than 10 and stand by the door and put him back to bed if he got up. Now if he has a tantrum because I put him in bed he still stays in bed. Those tantrums are getting fewer and farther between. For the last month I'd say, Edward has been going to bed and falling asleep between 9 pm and 930 pm. This is so great since I start school tomorrow and I will be needing some down time to read and do homework.

I can hardly believe how much my children have grown and changed over the summer. It has been nice to spend so much time with them but I have to admit I am thrilled to be going back to school. I am not cut out to be a stay at home mom. Maybe next summer they will be big enough to spend a week at the grandparents house or do a couple of weekends so my husband and I can have us time. With Edward being more cooperative at bed time I am feeling more confident and less worried about leaving him with others. Until next time!

Friday, July 31, 2009

Yesterday my children and I left the house to do some shopping. I unlocked the car with the remote, got them in and buckled, and off we went! Walmart first to get some cleaning supplies and a few other things that the grocery store doesn't carry. As we came out, I realized I exited the door furthest from where I parked. Before I unload bags and children from the cart, I fish my keys from my purse and use the remote...Nothing. I push it again, and again nothing.

I drive a Chevy Trailblazer. There is ONE key hole on the entire car, the driver's side door. We had had the car for a little over a year before my husband and I noticed a problem. At first, the remote wasn't working all the time so my husband changed the battery and that did the trick, for a week or two. That got annoying so we discussed calling the manufacturer to order a new remote but in the end we didn't. Then as time went on we noticed the remote would unlock the doors but not the trunk. If we tried the lock button on the door it did the same thing. Let me remind you that there is only ONE key hole on the whole car. So if the remote and the lock button on the car wouldn't unlock the trunk we are just s.o.l. Then, as summer began to turn into fall, I realized the car only does this when it is really hot or after it rains really good.

I should have just gone home after the Walmart incident but we were out of everything. I was just going to hope it would work when we came out of the grocery store since it worked when we left the house.

Flash forward to check out...Ruth always gets to ride the pony ride when we check out but I was out of pennies. Being the mommy I am, I double checked my purse just in case. Nope, not one penny. But I found my stash of coupons! Wouldn't you know it, all expired. Ruth was still asking to ride the pony when I realized it had an out of order sign on it. That made me feel a little better for not having pennies for the ride. Unfortunately, Ruth doesnt know what 'broken' means. I did find 2 quarters so I told her we would try the claw machine. We didn't win anything. As I begin leaving the check out, Ruth is still distraught that she hasn't ridden the pony yet! I am carrying Edward because I bought so many groceries so I cant take her by the hand and walk her out. I make like I'm going to leave her there so that she will follow me but she just can't let it go that she didn't ride the pony and is running between the claw machine and the pony. OMG, I think I stood there for 5 minutes before she came running to me crying. Distraught I tell you. I had to pin her hand between the cart and my hand since I was pushing with one hand and carrying Edward with the other.

We make it to the car and I hope against hope that the remote will work since I have so many groceries. Of course not, that would be convenient. I strap the kids into their seats and I try to stick all the groceries in the front passenger seat and on the floor in the back but I still had too many bags. I had to toss a few things over the kids' head into the trunk space. Don't get me started on unloading...

I can't wait to get a new car but that will in about 2 years when I get my BS. That's our plan. And anything that's electrical is stupid expensive to get fixed on a car. I just can't believe that there is only ONE key hole on the whole dang car. There should be a key hole on the trunk too! It makes me irate when this kind of thing happens. IF there are any men out there who are reading this you're probably laughing at me. BUT, try to imaging you just bought a big air compressor or something and now you can't get it into the car because you can't get the trunk unlocked...Yeah, not so funny now.

Monday, July 27, 2009

I don't understand why my children will eat certain meals at other people's homes and not at their own home. And why does Edward eat something like he loves it one day and hate it the next?

Edward will eat just about anything at our daycare provider's home, like macaroni and cheese and hot dogs. If I try to give him that stuff at home he won't touch it. If I encourage him to try it and eat it he has the biggest fit! I have even tried buying the same brand as her and Edward still won't touch it.

Ruth usually eats everything. Although I was told she ate eggs for breakfast the other day, she won't eat them here. My mom said she put a little ketchup on them like I like my eggs. I have tried that too before and no dice. It is so frustrating.

Good eating habits start right when they begin eating baby food. Ruth loves her fruits and vegetables, except for broccoli. That's fine with me because she will eat all other vegetables and usually wants seconds. Edward on the other hand isn't a big fan of vegetables. He will eat corn and he loves broccoli. And of course he really likes his fruit. Even if my husband and I don't like a certain vegetable, like cooked carrots, I still make them for my children. I think it is important to continue encouraging my children to eat healthy and to keep their variety wide even if we, as the parents, don't. They will make good eating decisions and eat healthy later on in life.

I can only hope that their eating foods in certain places is just a phase they will one day grow out of.